Former 'Canes P O'Donnell drafted by Chicago in sixth round

Saturday afternoon he became the second Hurricane selected in the NFL Draft.

O’Donnell, a former star at Palm Beach Central, was selected in the sixth round by the Chicago Bears with the 191st overall pick.

A first-team All-ACC selection, O’Donnell set a Miami single-season record with a 47.1 yards-per-punt average. He had 23 punts of more than 50 yards and downed 19 inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound punter was also awarded the CFPA Punter Trophy and was named a second-team All-American by USA Today.

During the NFL Network broadcast, he earned high praise from Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher who saw O’Donnell up close during the Seminoles’ 41-14 win over Miami in November.

“I’ve played against this guy. This guy’s good now,” Fisher said. “He affected the field position big time. This guy can kick the football and consistent. Big, long guy, big leg.”

When asked if he considered O’Donnell a weapon, Fisher didn’t hesitate.

“Without a doubt,” he said.

O’Donnell, a transfer from Cincinnati, was the first punter taken in this year’s draft. He put up some impressive numbers at the NFL Scouting Combine clocking a 4.6 in the 40. According to NFL.com, O’Donnell also had 23 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press—more than six tight ends, 19 running backs, 21 defensive linemen and all 37 wide receivers at the combine.